NEW: Emotional Heather Moyse enjoys breath of salt air

Olympic gold medallist Heather Moyse was overcome by emotion moments after touching down in Prince Edward Island on Wednesday.

An estimated crowd of about 150 people was at the Charlottetown Airport to welcome the Summerside native home after she competed in Sochi, Russia. Another larger welcome home is planned at Credit Union Place in Summerside Friday at 6 p.m.

Moyse, 35, said it was great to breathe the salt air upon stepping off the plane. While talking to reporters minutes later, she paused a moment to compose herself.

“The . . . Olympics have been so exciting. It was difficult to turn the TV off because Heather might appear,” Deighan said.

She was at the airport four years ago when Moyse returned home after winning gold at the Vancouver Games. She wanted to be there again this time, but was having a hard time finding when her flight would arrive.

Undeterred, Deighan drove to the airport three times looking for the information before finding out the special moment would take place Wednesday morning.

“I woke up early this morning, no storm, so I knew that the Summerside group would get down,” Deighan said before Moyse’s arrival. “It’s very exciting.”

Cornwall’s Wayne T. Wright also wanted to be on hand for Moyse’s return.

“I’ve been very proud of Heather, as most Islanders are,” he said.

Wright wondered what Moyse would do next.

“She keeps surprising us. Even after her injuries, she bounces back like a rubber ball. She is brave girl and she’s a lovely, lovely girl.”

Moyse is unsure what the future holds. She has already been asked about the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“Right now, I just want to enjoy this moment and enjoy the medal with everybody,” Moyse said.

“You can’t underestimate the power of having an Olympic gold medal, let alone two,” she added. “All I want to use it for is a tool to motivate and inspire people from all across the country.”

“It wasn’t until we finished and we were walking through the media junket that all of a sudden things just started seizing up,” she said. “I think your body holds on for so long.”

There has been little time to seek treatment or rest since the gold medal run.

“I am excited to kind of sit in a nice hot bath again and let my muscles relax from everything.”

JUST THE FACTS

Heather Moyse

Who – A three-time Olympic bobsledder, who has teamed with Kaillie Humphries to win back-to-back gold medals. The team also were Canada’s flag bearers for the closing ceremony in Sochi, Russia on Sunday.